U.S. Supreme Court dismisses Native American religious rights challenge to Rio Tinto's Arizona mining project

U.S. Supreme Court dismisses Native American religious rights challenge to Rio Tinto's Arizona mining project

The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear a case brought by Apache Stronghold, a nonprofit group representing the San Carlos Apache Tribe, challenging a massive copper mining project in Arizona. The project, spearheaded by Resolution Copper, a joint venture of mining companies Rio Tinto and BHP, would destroy Oak Flat, a sacred site used for tribal ceremonies.

The case reached the Supreme Court after the San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against Apache Stronghold earlier this year, concluding that the land transfer did not "substantially burden" the ability of tribe members to exercise their religious rights. The lower court's decision was based on a 2014 law that transferred the land from federal ownership to Resolution Copper.

The Trump administration had backed the project, and the court's order noted that conservative Justice Samuel Alito did not participate. Justices Neil Gorsuch and Clarence Thomas dissented, stating it was a "grievous mistake" not to hear the challenge.

Resolution Copper argues that the mine could supply around 25 percent of the nation's copper, with the metal in high demand for renewable energy projects and electric vehicles. Apache Stronghold, however, maintains that the site is the dwelling place of spiritual beings called the Ga'an and is central to traditional Apache religion.

The case highlights the tension between religious rights and business interests. The Supreme Court's decision leaves the land transfer in place, allowing Resolution Copper to proceed with the mining project.

References:
1. [1] https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/supreme-court/supreme-court-turns-away-native-american-lawsuit-copper-mine-sacred-la-rcna183774
2. [2] https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/05/27/supreme-court-arizona-oak-flat-copper-mining-apache/a5a3cb0e-3b00-11f0-912d-d5f4792db3e4_story.html